Hinge.



A. SUNDH.

HINGE.

APPLICATION HLEp FEB, 23, m5.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

WITNESSES:

TTOR/VEY AUGUST SUNIDH, 0F HASTINGSU?O1 T-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

HINGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. February 23, 1915. Serial No. 9,795.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Answer Sonora, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Hastings-upon-Hudson, in the county of VVestchester and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Hinge, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hinges adapted for self-closing gates, doors, etc, and particularly to the type of hinge inwhich the rela tively rotatable hinge members are provided with cooperating cam bearing surfaces or inclines for lifting the gate or door as it swings open and permitting it to be automatically returned by gravity to closed position.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved form of hinge in which the weight of the part carried thereby is distributed between oppositely disposed bearing surfaces to produce a more symmetrical and evenly balanced ar'angement, minimize the strain and wear on the bearing surfaces, and

reducethe lateral strain placed on theven tical guiding pintle of the hinge. To this end, one of the hinge members may be provided with four inclined bearing surfaces arranged in oppositely disposed pairs, and the other hinge member may comprise oppositely disposed bearing surfaces arranged to always hear on said inclined surfaces at diametrically opposite points.

The invention further provides means for equalizing the weight carried by the hinge, at the two oppositely disposed points of bearing contact.

A further feature of the invention relates to an improved form of connection between the hinge and the gate or other part swung by the hinge, permitting universal movement of the swinging hinge member relative to said part, whereby the swinging hinge member automatically adjusts itself to the stationary member.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear hereinafter.

The present application discloses certain features also disclosed in my co-pending applications, SerialNos. 12,883 filed March 8, 1915, and 14.32% filed March 15, 1915.

In the accompanying drawings,-I*igure 1 is a sectional elevation view of a hinge constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View taken in a direction at right angles to that of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4; are views corresponding respectively to Figs. 1 and 2, of a modification.

The hingemay comprise a stationary or non-rotating member 1 and a rotatable memher 2 to which may be connected a swinging gate or door. The hinge member 1 may be mounted on a post or other stationary support 3 by means of a screw eye-bolt 4 having a squared opening to receive a squared head 5 formed on the member 1. A nut 6 threaded on an extension of the head 5, clamps the hinge member in position.

. The hinge member 1 is in the form of a cylindrical receptacle to contain a lubricat ing oil 7 in which the bearing surfaces of the hinge are immersed. The rotatable member 2 is provided with a central guiding rod or pintle 8 which has a combined rotary and up and down movement in a central bore or socket in the stationary member 1. The bearing for the pintle is lengthened by a central sleeve 9 projecting upward from the base of the member 1.

The member 2 has downwardly projecting arms 10 and 11 on diametrically opposite sides of the pintle 8, the lower endsof said arms being preferably rounded to form bearmg surfaces which run on a track 12 comprising inclines or cam bearing surfaces formed on the stationary member 1. Said track comprises low points 13 which are diametrically opposite each other, and oppositely disposed high points 14 located midway between said low points, said high and low points being connected by inclined hearing surfaces 15. The bearing track is throughout its length equally distant from the pint-1e 8. In other words a vertical projection of the bearing surface forms a ring concentric with the pintle. The inclines are arranged in pairs so that at any two diametrically opposite points, the height is the same as is also the degree of inclination.

The track however, is inclined in opposite directions at diagrammatically opposite po nts. The arrangement is such that astlie Patented @ct. at, rate.

member 2 rotates, the arms 10 and 11 ride up and down in continuous contact with the oppositely disposed inclines. The track 12 may be concaved or in the form of a groove, which form assists in maintaining the two hinge members in proper relative position, particularly if there is any looseness or lateral play of the pintle in its socket.

The hinge is connected to the gate, door or other device through an interponent or connector 16 which may comprise a bracket 17 to be fixed to the gate or the like, and. an integral cap or casing 18 which telescopes with. the stationary member 1. Said inter ponent has a universal connection with the rotating hinge member 2by means of a horizontally disposed cylindrical head 19 integral with the member 2 and seated in a socket 20 formed in the casing 18. The said socket 20 is of such width that the walls thereof bear along opposite sides of the head 19 permitting a limited rocking of the member 2 relative to the casing 18 about the axis of said cylinder. A boss 21 on said cylinder bears on a concave surface on the upper wall of the socket 20 and supports the weight of the connector 16 and the gate or other part carried thereby. The upper face of the head 19 is spaced from the inclosing casing and as the weight is supported at a single point. namely on the boss 21, a limited tilting of the member 2 relative to the said connector is permitted in any direction, but the said member 2 and connector are compelled to rotate together about a vertical axis. This universal connection permitting the rocking movement in any directionis of importance in permitting the hinge to automatically adjust itself to any inaccuracy in the hanging of the gate or the like and relieves the hinge bearings, particularly the pintle and its bearings of undue strain or friction that might otherwise be placed thereon. The casing 18 may be provided with ribs 23 below and on opposite sides of the head 19 to prevent disconnection of the hinge member 2 from the casing 18.

It will be seen that if the bearing ends of the arms 10 and 11 had a fixed relation it would practically beimpossible to maintain an equal distribution of the weight on the two surfaces, as any looseness in the bearings or lack of symmetry of the track or difference in the length of the arms 10 and 11 would cause substantially all the weight to be thrown on one of the said arms. To overcome this difficulty and equalize the we ght on the two opposite bearing surfaces, I have provided a pressure equalizing device which in the particular construction shown crmprises a bearing pin 24 mounted in a socket in the arm 11 and projecting downwardly therefrom. A coil spring 25 insaid socket applies a downward pressure to the pin 24 which determines how much of the load is carried on said pin. The spring 25 is preferably made of such strength and is compressed to such an on tent that its pressure on the pin 24 is equal to substantially half the load carried by the hinge, whereby the weight is equally dis tributed between the two opposite bearings.

Assuming the hinge to be used on a gate, F 1 and 2 show the normal position of the parts when the gate is closed. If the gate is swung in either direction the lower ends of the arms 10 and 11 ride upward on oppositely disposed inclines 15, thereby raising the hinge member 2 and raising the gate as it swings open. When the gate is released, it automatically returns to closed position. The telescopic relation of the casing 18 to the member 1 provides for per manently covering and protecting the bearing surfaces of the hinge preventing the entrance of dust, dirt, snow, water or other foreign substances.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a modification, in which the bearing track with the cams or inclined bearing surfaces is formed on the rotatable member 2. The bearing surfaces for cooperation with said track are in this construction provided by a fixed boss 26 formed integral with the stationary hinge member 1 and a spring pressed pin or stud 24 mounted in the said stationary memher. The pintle 8 is preferably connected to form part of the rotary hinge member,

although in either of the constructions shown, said pintle might be fixed to the stationary member. The principle of operation of the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is substantially the same as that of Figs. 1 and 2.

Various other modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Ahinge comprising cooperating relatively. rotatable parts, one of the parts being formed with an annular bearing surface surrounding the aXis of said rotation, said bearing surface having two high'and two low points, thereby forming four inclines in said annular surface, the other of said parts being constructed with two bearing surfaces arranged to simultaneously travel on different inclines of said circular path, means to guide said last named part, and a spring arranged to control the pressure of one of said two bearing'surfaces on the annular surface, and thereby equalize the pressure of said two bearing surfaces on the annular surface.-

2. A hinge comprising a stationary part and a load carrying part arranged to swing in either direction from a central position,

one of said parts being formed with an an nular bearing surface having two high and two low points, each two adjacent points connected by an incline on said annular surface, the other hinge part formed with two bearing surfaces arranged to travel on two of said inclines when the load carrying part is swung in either direction from said central position, and thereby cause the load car 'ying part to be lifted when swung from central position, and returned by gravity to central position when released. 7

3. A hinge comprising cooperating relatively rotatable parts, one of the parts being formed with an annular bearing surface having two high points and two low points alternating and each two adjacent points connected by an incline thereby forming four inclines in said annular surface, the other hinge part being formed with two bearing surfaces arranged to simultaneously travel on different inclines of said annular surface, and means to automatically equalize the pressure of said two bearing surfaces on the annular surface.

4:. A hinge comprising a stationary part and a cooperating load carrying part supported on the stationary part arranged to be manually swung in either direction from a central position, and automatically returnable by gravity to said central position, one of said parts formed with an annular track having four inclines, the other part having bearings to run on said track, the load carrying part being raised by said inclines when moved from central position, and automatically lowered and returned by gravity to said central position.

5. A hinge comprising a stationary part and a cooperating load carrying part arranged to be manually swung in either di rection from a central position, and automatically returnable by gravity to said central position, one of said parts formed with an, annular track having four inclines, the other part having bearings to run on said track, the load carrying part being raised by said inclines when moved from central position, and automatically lowered and returned by gravity to said central position, one of the hinge parts forming a receptacle containing a lubricating fluid in which the said track and cooperating bearing surfaces are immersed.

6. A hinge comprising a stationary part and a cooperating load carrying part arranged to be manually swung in either direction from a central position, and automatically returnable by gravity, to said central position, one of said parts formed with an annular track having four inclines, the other part having bearings to run on said track, the load carrying part being raised by said inclines when moved from central position, and automatically lowered and returned by gravity to said central position, one of the hinge parts forming a receptacle containing a lubricating fluid in whichthe said track and cooperating bearing surfaces are immersed, a pintle arranged centrally of the said track, the bearings which run on said track being on opposite sides of the pintle and supporting the load independently of the pintle, the pintle forming a positive guiding means to keep said bearings on said track.

7. A hinge comprising cooperating relatively rotatable parts, one of said parts hav mg a central bearing sleeve surrounded by an annular track with two high and two low points, the high and low points alternating and each two adjacent points connected by an incline thereby forming four inclines, the other said part having bearing surfaces to engage said inclines, and a pintle working in said sleeve and forming a guide for said parts, and means for equalizing the pressure of said bearing surfaces on said track.

8. In a gravity operated hinge, the combination of hinge members relativelv rotatable about a vertical axis, one of said members having inclined bearing surfaces arranged in pairs, each pair comprising oppositely inclined diverging surfaces, the other hinge member having bearings at different points circumferentially of said axis. each of said bearings arranged to run on the surfaces of one of said pairs and having a rest position between the said surfaces.

9. In a gravity operated hinge, the combination of a stationary hinge member, a hinge member rotatable about a vertical axis, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces comprising inclined surfaces to cause the rotatable member to move vertically as it rotates, a connector for attaching a load to said rotatable member and means forming a universal connection between said connector and said rotatable member permitting a relative tilting of the hinge member and connector in any direction, but operating positively to prevent relative rotation of the connector and hinge member about a vertical axis.

10. In a gravity operated hinge. the combination of a stationary hinge member. a hinge member rotatable about a vertical axis, said members having cooperating hearing surfaces comprising inclined surfaces to cause the rotatable member to move vertically as it rotates, a connector for attaching a load to said rotatable member. and means forming a universal connection between said connector and said rotatable member permitting a relative tilting of the hinge member and connector in any direction. but operating positively to prevent relative rota-' tion of the connector and hinge member about a vertical axis, said connection commay have a limited tilting movement about Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 17th day of February'A. D. 1915.

AUGUST SUN DH.

prising a cylindrical head on the rotatable hinge member with its axis horizontal and a rectangular socket on the said connector to receive said head and in which said head Witnesses:

VVALTER C. STRANG, ERNEST L. GALE, Jr.

horizontal axes, but is prevented from rotation in 113s socket about avertlcal axis.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Gommissioner of Eatents.

Washington, D. C. 

